Sand molding apparatus

ABSTRACT

A sand molding machine has two compacting chambers angularly spaced from one another about a horizontal axis. The chambers are pivotally mounted for oscillation about a horizontal compacting axis after each sand molding operation. Each chamber is angularly movable 90* from an upper sand filling and compacting position to another lateral side of the axis where the molds are ejected. Two compacting rams, each having two arms disposed at 90* to one another, are pivotally mounted within respective yokes which are mounted for reciprocation along the compacting axis. Each compacting ram, one on each side of a chamber in the compacting position, oscillates 90* about a vertical axis to bring one of two sand compacting patterns into alignment with an open side of the compacting chamber. The oscillations of the compacting rams and of the compacting chambers are synchronized to insure that each sand compacting pattern is associated with a different one of the compacting chambers. By alternately forming the sprue holes 180* out of phase relative to one another, it is assured that the sprue holes of the molds which are ejected on each lateral side of the compacting axis are at the upper surfaces thereof. Ejector members are reciprocally movable along ejecting platforms. A roller is fixed on the platforms for causing the ejector members to turn from initially vertical to inclined planes to facilitate insertion of cores into a core supporting member when the ejector members are withdrawn from a compacting chamber. A spring and a stop are provided which reset the ejector members to their vertical planes when the ejector members are advanced into the compacting chambers.

United States Patent [1 1 Larkin 1 1 SAND MOLDING APPARATUS [76] Inventor:

Belle Harbor, NY.

22 Filed: May 30,1973

211 App]. No.1365,095

[52] US. Cl. 164/211 [51] Int. Cl. B22c 15/02 [58] Field of Search 164/12, 16, 22, 27, 40,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,317,574 4/1943 Williams 164/181 2,856,654 10/1958 Peras 1 [64/181 2,879,564 3/1959 Miller 164/181 3,181,207 5/1965 Schaible 164/201 X 3,303,535 2/1967 Rearwin 164/172 3,327,767 6/1967 Wal1work.... 164/18 3,744,551 7/1973 Gunnergaard 164/187 X 3,817,314 6/1974 Deve 164/210 X Primary Examiner-Francis S. Husar Assistant Examiner-John S. Brown Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Friedman & Goodman ABSTRACT A sand molding machine has two compacting chambers angularly spaced from one another about a hori- Sam Lat-kin, 254 Beach 140th St,

1 June 3, 1975 zontal axis. The chambers are pivotally mounted for oscillation about a horizontal compacting axis after each sand molding operation. Each chamber is angularly movable 90 from an upper sand filling and compacting position to another lateral side of the axis where the molds are ejected. Two compacting rams, each having two arms disposed at 90 to one another. are pivotally mounted within respective yokes which are mounted for reciprocation along the compacting axis. Each compacting ram, one on each side of a chamber in the compacting position, oscillates 90' about a vertical axis to bring one of two sand compacting patterns into alignment with an open side of the compacting chamber. The oscillations of the compacting rams and of the compacting chambers are synchronized to insure that each sand compacting pattern is associated with a different one of the compacting chambers. By alternately forming the sprue holes 180 out of phase relative to one another, it is assured that the sprue holes of the molds which are ejected on each lateral side of the compacting axis are at the upper surfaces thereof. Ejector members are reciprocally movable along ejecting platforms. A roller is fixed on the platforms for causing the ejector members to turn from initially vertical to inclined planes to facilitate insertion of cores into a core supporting member when the ejector members are withdrawn from a compacting chamber. A spring and a stop are provided which reset the ejector members to their vertical planes when the ejector members are advanced into the compacting chambers.

12 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures RHEMFMM SHEET FIGS FIG.

PATENTEUJUM 3 1915 3. 888993 SHEET 4 no us 74 x 7'60 78b F I G 8 I SAND MOLDING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally relates to sand molding apparatus, and more particularly to improvements in sand molding apparatus relating to compacting chamber arrangements, pattern compacting rams, and ejector and core refilling devices.

Sand molding apparatus of various types are already known. A disadvantage of some prior art sand molding apparatus has been that they have been relatively slow in producing sand molds. Frequently, a compacting chamber is provided which must first be filled with sand and subsequently compacted. However, while the compacted mold is being ejected or removed from the chamber, the machine is effectively disabled.

Several possible solutions to this problem are described in my patent Application Ser. No. 1 14,993 and now U.S. Pat. No. 3,744,550 for Sand Mold Formation" and in my Continuation-ln-Part Application Ser. No. 114,823 and now U.S. Pat. No. 3,734,163 for Sand Mold Formation. The arrangements there described generally comprise two compacting chambers which are disposed adjacent to one another and are reciprocally moved in a linear direction between compacting and ejecting positions. The present invention discloses a further solution to this problem which, it is presently believed, is more practical and more efficient than sand molding machines presently known.

Sand molding machines of the prior art have generally been complex in construction and consequently expensive to manufacture. Also, prior art machines have rarely provided flexibility in simultaneously producing one or several differently configurated molds. The machine in accordance with the present invention provides such an option wherein either one or two different types of molds may be manufactured or the same molds may be manufactured at twice the normal output rate.

Prior art compacting apparatus have had the further disadvantage in connection with refilling of cores where such are utilized. Frequently, special core setting or core refilling devices have been utilized which have unduly complicated the construction of the machine. On other machines, the device for refilling the cores was awkward to reach and, consequently, the process of manually refilling the cores was a tedious, time consuming operation. The sand molding apparatus in accordance with the present invention obviates this problem by providing an ejector device which incorporates a core setting device which is particularly simple and which provides ample access to the core device for the purpose of refilling the cores.

The sand molding machine in accordance with the present invention increases the efficiency of operation by increasing the output. The machine itself is adapted to generate two rows of ejected molds each being moved along a separate conveyor or platform. ln this manner, although the sand compacting or sand molding machine substantially increases the output, it may continue to be used with possibly slower processing apparatus associated with each conveyor which follow the sand molding machine.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION lt is an object of the present invention to provide a sand molding machine which is not possessed of the above described disadvantages associated with prior art machines of this type.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a sand molding apparatus as above described which is simple in construction and economical to manufacture.

lt is still another object of the present invention to provide a sand molding apparatus of the type under consideration which provides good efficiency of operation and which can generate two rows of completed sand molds.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a sand molding apparatus which includes a pivotally mounted pair of compacting chambers which are angularly displaced from one another by and which are each angularly movable in an oscillatory manner about a horizontal axis.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a sand molding machine which provides multipatterned compacting rams which are pivotally mounted and which are movable in an oscillatory man ner to bring different patterns into compacting positions after each molding operation.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide an ejector and core inserting device for a sand mold apparatus which includes a pivotally mounted ejector member which is movable between a substantially vertical compacting position and an inclined refilling position when the ejector member is fully withdrawn from the compacting chamber.

In order to achieve the above objects, as well as others which will become apparent hereafter, a compacting chamber arrangement for a sand molding apparatus in accordance with the present invention comprises a pivotally mounted chamber support member movable in an oscillatory manner between two angular positions. First and second sand mold compacting chambers are provided on said chamber support member. Said first and second chambers are angularly spaced about the pivotal axis of said chamber support member. In this manner each of said chambers can be oscillatorily moved to a sand filling and a sand compacting station of the sand molding apparatus in one angular position of said chamber support member and subsequently to a sand mold ejecting station of the sand molding apparatus in the other angular position of said chamber support member.

Each compacting chamber has two opposite open sides. The apparatus further comprises a pair of compacting rams each disposed on another side of said chamber support member. Each of said compacting rams is reciprocally movable with respect to said open sides. said compacting rams are adapted to pass through respective open sides of a compacting chamber when the latter is in said one angular position to compact sand previously placed into the compacting chamber.

Another important feature of the present invention is the provision of more than one pattern on each of said compacting rams. In this connection, each compacting ram comprises a pivotally mounted pattern support member movable in an oscillatory manner between two angular positions about an axis normal to the axis about which said chamber support member is pivotally mounted. First and second patterns are angularly spaced about the pivotal axis of each pattern support member. One of said patterns of each pattern support member is movable to a sand compacting position in one angular position of said pattern support member and the other pattern is movable to the sand compacting position in the other angular position of said pattern support member. Means are provided for angularly oscillating each of said pattern support members between said angular positions of said pattern support members after each sand molding operation. Means are provided for linearly reciprocating each of said pattern support members for moving said patterns into sand compacting positions of said pattern support members through the open sides of said compacting chamber disposed in said one angular position thereof and to withdraw said patterns from the compacting chamber after the sand has been compacted therein.

Advantageously, said pattern support members and sand chamber support member oscillate in synchronism. In this manner, each set of patterns on similarly oriented support members is associated with one of said compacting chambers.

Where each of said first and second patterns are provided with sprue forming projections, said first patterns and second pattens are displaced by 180 relative to each other to position the projections adjacent to opposite corresponding walls defining the two compacting chambers. In this manner, the ejected molds on each side of the chamber support member have the sprue holes at the top surface thereof.

A further important feature of the present invention comprises a sand mold ejector and core inserting device which comprises a generally planar pivotally mounted ejector member. A core supporting member is resiliently mounted on said ejector member on a side of the latter which abuts against a mold to be ejected. Said core supporting member includes means for releasably supporting at least one core thereon and for releasing the core when said ejector member is urged against a sand mold to be ejected which is provided with core receiving recesses. Tilting means are provided for pivotting said ejector member to a core refilling angular position when said ejector member is withdrawn from a sand compacting chamber in the other angular position of the latter. Resetting means are provided for turning said ejector member about the pivot point of the latter from said core refilling angular position to an ejecting angular position when said ejector member advances towards a sand compacting chamber in the other angular position of the latter. Means are provided for linearly reciprocating said ejector member between core refilling and sand compacting positions.

Another presently preferred embodiment of a compacting ram for a molding apparatus comprises a pattern support member movable about an axis in an oscillating manner between two angular positions displaced by 180 from each other. A pattern is provided which has a sprue forming projection mounted on said pattern support member. Said projection is alternately positioned on opposite sides of said compacting axis with the oscillating movement of said pattern support member. Means for angularly oscillating said pattern support member between said angular positions after each sand molding operation is provided. Means are provided for linearly advancing said pattern support member along said axis towards a compacting chamber of the sand molding apparatus subsequent to each angular movement of said support member. In this manner,

each successive compacted sand mold has a sprue hole on another side of said axis.

With either the multiple pattern compacting ram or with the single rotatable compacting ram, the invention includes compacting chambers which are moved alternately to ejecting positions on other sides of said sand compacting position by rotating the molds from the sand compacting to the mold ejecting positions. In each case, the patterns utilized in successive compacting operations have their sprue forming projection displaced by from each other to position the projections adjacent opposite corresponding walls which define the compacting chamber. In this manner, the ejected sand molds ejected on each side of the sand compacting position have the sprue holes at the top surfaces thereof.

A still further important feature of the present invention, wherein compacting rams are disposed to the sides of the compacting chamber, said rams are reciprocably mounted to enter and egress from a respective compacting chamber in the sand compacting position thereof. Ejector members are also provided which are disposed on opposite sides of said chamber support member, each ejector member being alternatively extended through another associated compacting chamber. Said one angular compacting position and said other angular ejecting position being at different levels, whereby said rams and said ejector members can reciprocate independently without interfering with each other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

With the above and additional objects and advantages in view, as will hereinafter appear, this invention comprises the devices, combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings of a preferred embodiment in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a sand molding apparatus in accordance with the present invention, showing the compacting rams outside of one of the compacting chambers which is in the compacting position and showing the other compacting chamber in a sand mold ejecting position;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the compacting chamber arrangement and the compacting ram arrangement of the sand molding apparatus of FIG. 1, showing each of the compacting rams to have mounted thereon two patterns which are each movable into a sand compacting position by pivotally rotating about a vertical axis;

FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 1, but showing the compacting rams extended interiorly of one of the compacting chambers during a sand molding or compacting operation;

FIG. 4 is similar to FIG. 2, but showing two of the patterns interiorly of the compacting chamber for compacting sand while the other two patterns, one on each of the compacting rams, is in an inoperative position;

FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 4, but shows in dashed outline the alternate positions of the compacting rams, wherein the patterns extended interiorly of the compacting chamber are those which were initially inoperative in the positions of FIG. 4 while the operative patterns in FIG. 4 are inoperative in FIG. 5;

FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 5 but shows the patterns extended into the chamber as those originally inoperative in FIG. 5 while the patterns operative in FIG. 5 are inoperative once the chambers have rotated to the positions shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view, partly in schematic, showing the compacting chamber arrangement of FIG. 1 and the cover plate mechanism which cooperates with each compacting chamber positioned in the sand compacting position, as well as showing the manner in which the compacting chambers are turned or pivotted about a shaft to alternately bring another one of the chambers into molding as well as ejecting positions;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the compacting chamber arrangement and the multiple pattern compacting ram arrangement of FIG. 1, further showing ejector platforms or conveyors which cooperate with the compacting chambers when the latter are in the ejecting positions;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the sand compacting chamber arrangement, showing in dashed outline the alternate position of the chamber arrangement in accordance with the presently preferred embodiment, as well as showing in outline a compacted sand mold in the ejecting position;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a compacting chamber arrangement as described above as utilized with a second embodiment of a pattern compacting ram, wherein the same pattern is rotated about an axis 180 in an oscillating manner with each oscillatory movement of the chamber arrangement, and further showing an ejector member and the manner in which the sand molds are ejected by the ejector member onto a platform or conveyor;

FIG. 11 is similar to FIG. 9, but shows the compacting chamber arrangement in the alternate position thereof and further showing the relationship of a completed mold to the compacting chamber in which it is formed;

FIG. 12 is a front elevational view, partly in cross section, of a sand mold ejector and core inserting device in accordance with the present invention, showing the ejector member in a retracted position exteriorly of a compacting chamber and showing a resiliently mounted core supporting member tilted by a roller to facilitate refilling of cores thereon;

FIG. 13 is similar to FIG. 12, showing the ejector member reset to its vertical ejecting position just prior to insertion of cores into recesses formed to the sand mold; and

FIG. 14 is similar to FIG. 13, wherein the cores have been inserted into the core recesses and the last formed sand mold is ejected from its compacting chamber.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings, in which the same reference numerals have been utilized to designate similar or identical parts throughout, and first referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 a sand mold apparatus in accordance with the present invention is generally designated by the reference numeral 10. The sand mold apparatus or machine 10 comprises a frame 11 which includes spaced lower frame members 12 and 14. An upper frame member 16 extends across the top of the machine or apparatus 10.

A left side frame member 18, as viewed in FIG. 1, and a right side frame member 20 extend between the upper frame member 16 and respective ones of the lower frame member 12 and 14.

Spaced inwardly from the side frame member 18 is a frame member 22 which extends downwardly from the upper frame member 16. A similar frame member 24 is spaced from the side frame member 20 and similarly extends downwardly from the upper frame member 16.

A frame member 26 extends upwardly from the lower frame member 12 substantially directly below the frame member 22. Similarly, a frame member 28, below the frame member 24, extends upwardly from the lower frame member 14. The considerations for choosing the lengths of the frame members 22, 24 and 26, 28 will become apparent hereafter.

Although the various frame members described above are shown in FIG. 1 to be connected by means of brackets and rivets, the specific connecting means are not critical for the purposes of the present invention and any other conventional means of providing a frame construction as above described, or functionally equivalent construction, may be utilized, with varying degrees of advantage.

The frame members 22 and 24 are spaced from each other in the central region of the frame 11 to create therebetween sufficient space for free movement of a pair of toggle linkage assemblies 30.

Referring to FIGS. 1 andd 7, each toggle linkage assembly 30 comprises a pair of spaced upper linkages 32 which are pivotally mounted to brackets 34 depending from the upper frame member 16 by means of pins 36.

Each upper linkage 32 of each linkage assembly 30 is pivotally connected to a respective lower linkage 38 by means of a pin 40. Extending between the two pins 40 of each toggle linkage assembly, is a power cylinder, for example a hydraulic cylinder, whose overall length may be selectively adjusted.

Each lower linkage 38 of each linkage assembly 30 is connected to a bracket 46 of a cover plate 44 by means of pins 48. As best shown in FIG. 7, the cover plate 44 can be raised or lowered in a vertical direction by respectively increasing and decreasing the overall lengths of the hydraulic cylinders 42. When the hydraulic cylinders are in contracted conditions, as shown in solid in FIG. 7, the upper and lower linkages 32 and 38 are brought to their vertical positions this lowering the cover plate 44 due to the increased overall length of the series connected linkages. On the other hand, when the overall lengths of the hydraulic cylinders are increased, as depicted in dashed outlines by the reference numeral 42', the pins 40 are forced outwardly and the upper and lower linkages assume the inclined positions depicted in dashed lines and designated by the reference numerals 32' and 38'. The inclined positions of the linkages decreases their overall length in the vertical direction this effectively raising the cover plate 44 to a position depicted in dashed outline by the reference numeral 44. By retracting the plungers of the hydraulic cylinders 42 in any conventional manner (not shown), the cover plate 44 may be lowered. When so lowered, the cover plate engages a compacting chamber, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, and as to be more fully described hereafter. However, the specific construction of the toggle linkage assemblies 30 does not form a critical feature of the present invention except as it cooperates with the compacting chambers as to be described. A more detailed description of the toggle linkage assemblies can be found in my above referenced US. Pat. Nos. 3,744,550 and 3,734,163.

The cover plate 44 is provided with a sand discharging aperture 50 through which sand is blown into a compacting chamber. The aperture 50 communicates with an external conduit 52 which is fixed to the cover plate 44. The external conduit 52 thereby moves up wardly and downwardly with the cover plate. A stationary internal conduit 54 is at least partially disposed internally of the external conduit 52 with sufficient clearance therebetween to permit the internal conduit 54 to reciprocally slide within the external conduit 52. Suitable bushings may be provided between the external surface of the internal conduit 54 and the internal surface of the external conduit 52 to prevent sand from being blown through a space between the two conduits. The internal conduit 54 may be connected to a conventional sand blowing apparatus. With such a construction, a substantially sealed blowing path is provided for the sand, even though the cover plate 44, in which the aperture 50 is provided, can reciprocate in the vertical direction.

A plurality of bushings or collars 56 are provided on the side frame members 18 and 20.

An upper guide shaft 58 has one free end thereof supportably mounted in an upper bushing or collar 56 while the other free end thereof extends through an aperture in the frame member 22 and is supported by the latter. Similarly, a guide shaft or rod 60 is supported by the frame member 24 in the side frame member 20. The guide shafts S8 and 60 are advantageously at the same elevation and are both oriented in a substantially horizontal direction. In accordance with the presently preferred embodiment, the guide shafts 58 and 60 are fixed in position both insofar as linear and angular movements are concerned. Each guide shaft 58, 60 defines an axis and both guide shaft are mounted so as to be coaxial with each other.

Disposed directly beneath the guide shafts 58, 60 is an elongate guide shaft 62 which extends substantially across the entire width of the sand molding machine 10. The guide shaft 62 is supported at the two free ends thereof by bushings 56 and the central regions of the guide shaft 62 are supported by the frame members 26 and 28, as shown in FIG. I.

To facilitate the description of the sand molding apparatus 10, the guide shaft or rod 62 has been given separate reference numerals to designate different portions thereof. Thus, the portion of the guide shaft 62 which extends between the side frame member 18 and the frame member 26 is designated by the reference numeral 62a. Similarly, that portion of the guide shaft 62 which extends between the side frame member and the frame member 28 is designated by the reference numeral 62c. The reference numeral 6219 has been given to that portion of the guide shaft 62 which extends between and is supported by the frame members 26 and 28. Clearly, each of the aforementioned shaft portions may comprise an independent guide shaft.

As with the guide shaft 58 and 60, the guide shaft 62 is fixed in position and can neither move along its axis nor angularly about the same A sleeve bearing 64 is slidably mounted on the guide shaft 58 and a sleeve bearing 66 is similarly mounted on guide shaft portion 62a. Similarly, sleeve bearing 68 and sleeve bearing 70 are respectively slidably mounted on guide shaft 60 and guide shaft portion 62c.

A vertical support rod 72 is fixedly connected to sleeve bearings 64 and 66 and support rod 74 is similarly fixed between sleeve bearings 68 and 70. The sleeve bearings, and consequently the vertical support rods 72, 74 are mounted for horizontal reciprocation. Any suitable means (not shown) may be provided for minimizing frictional sliding forces between the various sleeve bearings and their associated guide shafts.

Associated with the support rod 72 is a multiple pattern compacting ram 75 which forms an important feature of the present invention. As best shown in FIGS. 1-6 and 8, the multiple pattern compacting ram 75 comprises a right angle pattern support member 76 having perpendicular or right angle pattern support arms 76a and 761). Similarly, associated with the support rod 74, a multiple pattern compacting ram 77 comprises a right angle pattern support member 78 consisting of arms 78a and 78b which are normal to one another. The compacting rams 75 and 77 will be more fully described hereafter. At this point, it is sufficient to mention that the compacting rams are utilized for compacting sand to be molded by compacting the sand with patterns which are provided on the compacting rams.

Reciprocation of the compacting rams 75 and 77 to move each of the latter between positions within and without the compacting chambers to be described, is achieved by providing a yoke 80 associated with the support rod 72 and a yoke 82 associated with the support rod 74. Each of the yokes bridges its respective compacting ram and is connected to a respective one of the support rods.

A plunger 84 of a hydraulic cylinder 86 is connected at its free end to the yoke 80, and, similarly, the plunger rod 88 of the hydraulic cylinder 90 is fixed to the yoke 82 as shown in the FIGS. l6. Conventional means (not shown) are utilized for activating the hydraulic cylinders 86 and 90 to cause the respective plungers 84 and 88 to reciprocate in accordance to a predetermined frequency or period. As can best be observed in FIG. 2, retraction of the plungers 84 and 88, by appropriate control of respective hydraulic cylinders 86 and 90, causes the pattern support member 76 to move towards the left, as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2, out of a compacting position. Similarly, retraction of the plunger 88 causes the pattern support member 78 to move toward the right out of the sand compacting position.

The pattern support arm 76 is provided with a pattern 92, shown schematically, which is further provided with a sprue forming projection 94 on the pattern support arm 76a adjacent to the pattern support arm 76b. The pattern support arm 76b, also forming part of the pattern support member '76, is provided with a pattern 96 and a sprue forming projection 98. The sprue forming projection 98 is provided, in the presently preferred embodiment, on that side of the pattern support arm 76b adjacent to the pattern support arm 76a.

The pattern support arm 78a is provided with sand compacting pattern 100 and sprue forming projection 102 while the pattern supporting arm 78b is provided with pattern 104 and sp'rue forming projection 106.

The above described construction of the multiple pattern compacting rams 75 and 77 forms an important feature of the present invention. It should be mentioned that although the compacting rams 75 and 77 are advantageously utilized with the sand molding apparatus 10, as described herein, the multiple pattern compacting rams 75 and 77 can, clearly, be utilized with other forms of sand mold compacting machines.

Particular advantages are obtained. however, when the compacting rams are utilized with a machine to be described.

Each of the pattern support members 76 and 78 are pivotally mounted for turning about the respective axis of the support rods 72 and 74. Means (not shown) are provided for turning or pivotting the pattern support members about their respective support rods. The purpose for pivotally mounting the pattern support members 76, 78 about vertical axis will be described in further detail below. Each of the pattern support arms 76a, 76b, 78a and 78b effectively define a separate or different compacting ram having its individual compacting pattern mounted thereon. The process of compacting sand molds is itself old in the art and is described in more detail in my above referenced Patent Applications.

The operation of the multiple pattern compacting rams 75 and 77 will now be described.

The hydraulic cylinders 86 and 90 are actuated synchronously so that the plungers 84 and 88 simultaneously move to their contracted or extended positions. The retracted conditions or positions of the plungers 84 and 88 are shown in FIG. 1. When moving to such retracted positions, the plungers force the respective yokes 80 and 82 to move outwardly from the central region of the sand molding machine 10 wherein the compacting takes place. It is important that the pattern support members 76 and 78 fully clear the compacting chambers situated centrally of the sand molding machine 10 when the plungers 84 and 88 have moved to their fully contracted positions, for reasons to be described hereafter.

when the pattern compacting rams 75 and 77 are moved away from their compacting positions, as shown in FIG. 2, each of the pattern support members 76 and 78 is provided sufficient clearance to permit the same to turn or pivot about their respective support rods 72 and 74. For facilitating the description of operation of the sand molding machine 10, a compacting axis may be defined which is coextensive with the aligned axes of the hydraulic cylinders 86 and 90. The compacting axis, for this purpose, may be defined as the axis along which individual pattern support arms move while reciprocating to and from the compacting positions. Stated otherwise, the compacting axis is defined by the line of movement of the individual plungers 84 and 88 as the latter reciprocate along a horizontal line which passes approximately through the center of a compacting chamber.

One possible arrangement of the pattern support members 76 and 78 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, wherein the patterns 92 and 100 face each other and face the compacting chamber, to be described hereafter. In this position of the pattern support members, the patterns 96 and 104 face the same direction, namely the front part of the sand mold machine or apparatus 10, as viewed in FIG. 1. In such positions, the patterns 92 and 100 are positioned to compact sand from opposing sides in accordance with compacting principles more fully described in my above referenced Patent Applications.

Alternately, the pattern support member 76 may be turned 90 in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 2, and the pattern support member 78 may be turned 90 in a clockwise direction to bring the patterns 96 and 104 to the positions previously occupied by the patterns 92 and 100. Such positions of the pattern support members 76, 78 is suggested in FIG. 6 and shown in FIG. 5.

Although, the patterns 92 and 96 may be similar, as may be the patterns 100 and 104, it should be clear that these are not critical features of the present invention and any combination of similar or different patterns may be utilized on each of the pattern supporting arms 76a, 76b, 78a and 78b. In effect, the provision of multiple pattern compacting rams as designated by the reference numerals and 76 offers increased flexibility in the number of possible sand mold configurations which one may obtain. It also permits, as will become clear hereafter, the manufacture of more than one form of sand mold. Further, although the pattern support members 76, 78 have been described as being provided with two pattern support arms and a pattern mounted on each of the latter, it should be clear to one skilled in the art that the number of support arms on each pattern support member may be increased to still further increase the versatility or flexibility of manufacturing sand molds. For example, the pattern support members may be provided with additional spaced support arms in a generally common plane, or additional spaced pattern support arms may be provided in more than one plane so that different patterns thereof may be positioned along the compacting axis by moving the pattern support members in either two or three-dimensions.

Once the cover plate 44 has been lowered onto a compacting chamber and sand has been blown therein through the sand discharge aperture 50, the pattern facing the compacting chamber along the compacting axis may be moved inwardly towards each other and into the compacting chamber for the purposes of compacting the sand. This is achieved by suitably activating the hydraulic cylinders 86 and to thereby extend the plungers 84 and 88 respectively with sufficient force to provide the desired compacting pressures. The extended conditions or positions of the plungers 84 and 88 are shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8. Therefore, it should be clear that the multiple pattern compacting rams exhibit both linear as well as angular movements. The linear movements defined by each of the compact ing rams relates to the movements affected by activation of the hydraulic cylinders 86, 90 between the extended positions and the compacting positions. On the other hand, the compacting rams define angular movements about respective support rods wherein different patterns mounted on support members may be brought into alignment with the compacting axis.

Aside from permitting the formation of more than one type of sand mold, the utilization of multiple pattern compacting rams 75 and 77 permits the production of the same type of sand mold at higher output rates and higher efficiency, as will become evident hereafter.

A further important feature of the present invention is the provision of a novel compacting chamber arrangement 108 which is illustrated in FIGS. 1-11. As best shown in FIGS. 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11, the chamber arrangement 108 comprises a chamber support 109 which, in the presently preferred embodiment, has a square cross section and two pairs of opposite surfaces which are mutually perpendicular to each other.

Referring more specifically to FIG. 7, one of the surfaces l09a of the chamber support member 109 has projecting therefrom, in a normal manner, two spaced parallel walls 110 and 112. The walls 110, 112 and the surface 109a together define an open compacting chamber 113 having two open sides and an open top. Similarly. projecting from surface l09b are two spaced parallel walls 114 and 116 which, together with the surface I09b, define an open compacting chamber 118 having two open sides and an open top. The open sides are adapted to receive the above described pattern supporting arms while the open top of the respective compacting chambers are adapted to be closed by the cover 44.

The chamber support member 109 is pivotally mounted on the shaft portion 62b. However, the compacting chamber arrangement 118 is fixed in position insofar as relative linear movements along the shaft 62 are concerned.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 3 and 7, an arm 120 is provided on the chamber support member 109 which is pivotally connected to a plunger or linkage 122 of a power or hydraulic cylinder 124 by means of a pin 126. The linkage or plunger 122 is shown schematically in FIG. 7. By activating the hydraulic cylinder 124, extension and retraction of the plunger 122 causes the chamber support member 109 to rotate in clockwise and counterclockwise directions respectively about the shaft portion 62b, as viewed in FIG. 7.

One position of the chamber support member 109 is shown in FIGS. 1-5 and 7-10. In these aforementioned Figures, the chamber 113 is positioned directly above the shaft portion 62b and in alignment with the compacting axis. In such a position, the compacting chamber 118 is disposed laterally of the shaft portion 62b this position being termed the ejecting position for the purposes of the present specification and claims. It is pointed out that the chamber 113, in the compacting position, is at an elevation directly above the wall 114 of the chamber 118. Thus, there is no overlap of the two chambers in the vertical direction. This becomes an important consideration for reasons to be described hereafter.

With the shaft portion 62b fixed against movement, the chamber support member 109 is rotatably mounted or pivotally mounted on the shaft portion 62b. When the plunger or linkage 122 is moved to a position designated by the reference numeral 122' in FIG. 7, the chamber support member 109 turns about the shaft portion 62b to bring the chamber 113 to an opposite lateral ejecting position with respect to the shaft portion 62b to that of the chamber 118. The chamber 118 thereby moves from its ejecting position to the compacting position, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 11.

The compacting chamber arrangement 108 can be described as being mounted for angular movements in an oscillatory manner about the shaft portion 621:. As described above, the pattern support members 76 and 78 are mounted for linear reciprocation as well as for angular oscillation about respective support rods 72 and 74. The actuation of the hydraulic cylinders 86, 90, 124 and the means (not shown) for angularly oscillating the pattern support members 76 and 78 are advantageously synchronized, as are the movements of the pair of toggle linkage assemblies 30, to continuously and efficiently compact and eject sand molds as to be described.

An entire cycle of the sand molding apparatus 10 will now be described wherein two sand molds are produced. The sand mold machine or apparatus is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in an initial condition wherein the chamber 113 is in the upper compacting position and wherein the chamber 118 is in the lower lateral ejecting position. Also, the pattern supporting arms 76a and 78a are along the compacting axis while the pattern supporting arms 76b and 78b are in the inoperative positions. The operation commences by decreasing the overall lengths of the hydraulic cylinders 42 to thereby lower the cover plate 44 into abutment against the upper edges of the chamber walls 110 and 112. Advantageously, grooves or slots 44:: and 44b are provided in the cover plate 44 which mate with and sealingly close the open top of the chamber 113. At this time, the hydraulic cylinders 86 and 90 are activated to advance the pattern supporting arms 76a and 78a into the open sides of the compacting chamber 113. At this point, a fully closed compacting chamber is provided and sand may be blown through the aperture 50 by way of the conduits 52 and 54. When sufficient sand has been blown into the compacting chamber, the hydraulic cylinders 86 and 90 are again initiated to provide a power stroke wherein very high compressing or compacting forces are exerted upon the sand in the compacting chamber by the patterns 92 and 100.

After the compacting step has been completed, the hydraulic cylinders 86 and 90 are caused to retract their respective plunger rods 84 and 88 to revert the pattern support members 76 and 78 to the positions shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The compacting step is best illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and8.

According to the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, the pattern support members 76 and 78, as well as the compacting chamber arrangement 118, are at this point imparted with angular movements about their respective axes. Thus, means are provided (not shown) for alternating the pattern supporting arms of each pattern support member from initial positions to new positions as suggested in FIG. 5 by the dashed outlines and reference numerals 76a and 78a. Thus, the pattern support member 76 turns 90 in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed from the top thereof, and the pattern support member 78 moves angularly 90 in a clockwise direction to positions illustrated in FIG. 6.

Simultaneously with the angular movements of the pattern support members 76 and 78, the compacting chamber arrangement 118 is itself angularly moved or pivotted about its respective shaft portion 62b. More particularly, the chamber support member 109 turns in a counter-clockwise direction by 90, as viewed in FIG. 7. The initial as well as the subsequent position of the compacting chamber arrangement are shown in FIGS. 9 and 11. In each Figure, the alternate position is shown in dashed outline and referenced by corresponding primed reference numbers.

After the angular movements of both the pattern support arms as well as the chamber support member 109 have been completed, the hydraulic cylinders 86 and 90 can again be activated simultaneously with the hydraulic cylinders 42 to form a closed compacting chamber 118 into which sand may be blown. Subsequently, as with the chamber 113, the hydraulic cylinders 86 and 90 are caused to provide a power stroke to thereby compact the newly filled sand.

Simultaneously with the compacting step of sand in the compacting chamber 1 18, suitable means, to be described hereafter, may be utilized to eject the previously formed sand mold which is disposed in the compacting chamber 113.

The further angular movements of the pattern support members 76 and 78, as well as of the compacting chamber arrangement 108, to the initial positions above described defines a complete cycle of the oscillating members. With the formation of the third sand mold in the series, the second sand mold disposed in the compacting chamber 118 may be ejected by similar ejecting means as that utilized to eject sand molds from the chamber 113.

It will be noted that one complete cycle of the sand mold apparatus also entails one complete oscillatory cycle of the pattern support members 76 and 78 as well as of the chamber support member 109. Each oscillatory cycle of the latter members is defined by two 90 movements, one in a first angular direction and the other in an opposing angular direction.

The purposes of providing multiple pattern compacting rams as well as multiple chamber compacting arrangements will become evident hereafter.

A variation of the compacting rams above described is illustrated in FIG. 10. Here, pattern support members 132 and 140 have provided thereon patterns 136 having sprue forming projections 138. The pattern support members 132 and 140 are mounted on plunger rods which are similar to plunger rods 84 and 88. Although one set of patterns 136 is provided, the patterns may be reversed 180 in their planes by turning the rods or shafts 134 and 142 about their axis. Otherwise, the compacting arrangement is similar to that described above, and the rods or shafts 134, 142 can reciprocate the pattern support members 132 and 140 in a linear fashion along the compacting axis to compact sand as described above. In effect, such an arrangement simulates two different patterns. More importantly, for reasons to be described hereafter, this arrangement, as the previously described multiple pattern compacting rams, permit the positioning of the sprue forming projections adjacently to opposite walls of the compacting chambers with successive compacting operations.

Referring to FIG. 2, 4, and 5, it will be noted that the sprue forming projections 94 and 102 are disposed adjacently to the wall 112 of the chamber 113. Thus, after the sand mold has been compacted, the sprue hole thereof will be disposed adjacently to the wall 112. Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, it will be observed that when the chamber 113 moves to its ejecting position, the wall 112 becomes the top wall of the chamber and the mold 150 formed within the chamber has a pattern 154 on the side thereof and a sprue hole portion 156 at the top thereof.

On the other hand, when the pattern support members 76 and 78 and the chamber support member 109 have been angularly turned as above described, the sprue forming projections 98 and 106 become disposed adjacently to the wall 1 14 of the chamber 118. Consequently, the sprue hole in the compacted sand mold formed thereby will be disposed adjacently to the wall 114.

In the next sand molding operation, which takes place in the compacting chamber 113, the chaamber 118 is moved to the ejecting position, as shown in FIGS. 1-5 and 7-10. In the ejecting position of the chamber 118, the wall 114 becomes the top wall of the chamber to thereby position the sprue holes of the sand molds formed therein along the top surfaces thereof.

An ejector device 144, shown schematically in FIG. 10, comprises an ejector member 146 mounted on a reciprocating shaft 148. The actuation or reciprocation of the shaft 148 is coordinated or synchronized with the other operations of the sand mold apparatus 10. The ejector member 146, to be more fully described hereafter, is provided with surface portions which are adapted to abut against a compacted mold within a compacting chamber and slidably force the same out of the chamber onto a conveyor or platform 128 and 130, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 10.

Similar conveyors or platforms are provided to each side of the compacting axis or to each side of the shaft 62. Referring to FIG. 8, conveyors 128 and 130 comprise portions 128a, 1281: and 130a and 130b respectively. A space 1286 is provided between portions 128a and 128b and a corresponding space or opening 130c is provided between portions 130a and 130b. The space 128C is configurated or dimensioned to closely receive the wall when the chamber 113 is in the ejecting position. Similarly, the space or opening s is configurated or dimensioned to closely receive the wall 116 when the chamber 118 is in the ejecting position. Advantageously, the walls 110 and 116 fully close the respective gaps or openings l28c and 1300 to thereby provide an almost continuous conveyor or platform upon which compacted molds may be slidably conveyed.

In FIG. 10, only single conveyors 128d and 130d are provided, which correspond respectively to conveyor portions 128a and 130a.

In either case, a suitable ejector device 144 forces a compacted mold formed in a respective chamber onto a conveyor whose free end is contiguous or adjacent to the bottom wall of the respective chamber when the latter is in the ejecting position.

With the above described construction, it is possible to eject two compacted molds onto spaced conveyors with each full cyclic operation of the sand molding apparatus. Being moved onto a stationary conveyor, the ejector devices not only eject a newly compacted sand mold, but in so ejecting the last formed mold urge the latter against previous molds which are positioned on the conveyor. With continuous operation of the machine, a series of molds 150 are formed which are contiguously positioned as shown in FIG. 10 the sprue holes in each series of molds being disposed at the upper surface to facilitate pouring of the metal therein.

It will be appreciated that the present sand molding apparatus involves machinery which is simple in construction and which permits efficient operation. As described above, while one sand mold is being compacted, another mold is being ejected it not being necessary to wait for the completion of one operation prior to the commencement of another, as was fre quently the case with prior art sand molding machines.

Smooth and continuous operation of the machine is further made possible by a novel design feature of level present invention wherein the ejector devices 144 and the compacting ramming devices operate at two distinct vertical levels and do not interfere with each other. For this reason, simultaneous compacting and ejecting is possible. As can be easily ascertained from the above described FIGURES, and particularly FIG. 10, the pattern support member 132 is at a first level above the shaft portion 62b and above the uppermost surface of the chamber 118, as defined by the upper surface of the wall 114 when viewed in FIG. 10. On the other hand, the ejector device 144 operates at a lower evel laterally of the shaft portion 62b below the level of the wall 114. Consequently, the rams and the ejecting devices may operate independently and without interference of one another.

The ejector device 144 described in connection with FIG. 10 is a schematic representation of a novel ejector construction which forms another important feature of the present invention. A detailed description of the ejector device 114', as well as its function will be described in relation to FIGS. 12-14. Although the ejector device 144' will be described as an ejector as well as a core inserting device, it will be clear from the description that follows that the ejector device may be used as an ejecting device alone without being utilized to insert cores into sand molds.

The sand mold ejector and core inserting device 144 comprises a pan-shaped ejector member 146 which is provided about the periphery thereof with a rim, ledge or abutment member 146a. As described in connection with FIG. 10, the ejector member 146 is mounted on a shaft 148 which is shown to comprise a plunger of a power or hydraulic cylinder 160. By suitable activation of the cylinder 160, the ejector member 146 may be reciprocated in a horizontal direction between a retracted position as shown in FIG. 12 to an extended and ejecting position illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14.

The sand mold ejector and core inserting device 144' comprises a frame 158 which is advantageously rigidly connected to the frame 11 in a suitable manner. Although only one sand mold ejector and core inserting device is illustrated in FIGS. 12-14, it should be clear that similar ejector and core inserting devices are to be provided at each lateral position of the shaft portion 62b or at each lateral ejecting position of a respective compacting chamber 113 and 118 as above described.

The ejector and core inserting device is associated with a platform or conveyor 162 whose top surface is coextensive with the top surface of a bottom wall of a compacting chamber when the latter has moved towards a lateral ejecting position. Such a relationship is shown and has been described in connection with FIGS. 8 and 10.

An important modification of the basic ejector device 144 shown in FIG. 10 is the provision of a pivot pin 164 about which the ejector member 146 is pivotally mounted on the shaft 148. More particularly, the ejector member 146 is pivotally mounted about pivot pin 164 or about a horizontal axes.

Provided on the platform 162 is a tilting roller 166 which is adapted to engage the lower region or portion of the ejector member 146 when the shaft 148 substantially moves to its fully retracted position. This position of the ejector member 146 is designated for the purposes of the specification as well as for the claims as the core refilling position. The ejector member 146 tilts by the action of the roller 166 to an angular core refilling angular position. The purpose of tilting the ejector member 146 in this manner will be more fully described hereinafter.

As suggested above, the angular movement about the pin 164 is limited by the relative linear movement between the ejector member 146 and the roller 166. When the ejector member 146 advances from the core refilling position towards a sand mold ejecting position, the angular movement about the pin 164 is influenced by a spring 168. The spring 168 is connected to the ejector member 146 and to a bracket 170 which is mounted on a shaft 148. The spring 168 resiliently biases or urges the ejector member 146 to turn about the pin 164 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 12. A projection 170a, forming part of the bracket 170, acts as a stop for preventing excessive clockwise rotation of the ejector member. Clockwise movement of the ejector member is, with the construction depicted, terminated when the ejector member is in substantially a vertical or an ejecting angular position as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14.

The stop 1700 as well as the roller 166 must be displaced from one another along a transverse direction of the platform 162 so that the stop 170a does not come into contact with or interfere with the roller 166 when the shaft 148 becomes extended and the stop 1700 advances past the stationary roller 166.

Associated with the pan-shaped member 146 is a pan-shaped core supporting member 172 which is similarly provided with a peripheral projection or abutment 172a. While the height of the peripheral abutment 1720 is smaller than the height of the abutment 146a, the two abutments 146a and 172a are advantageously substantially in contact with one another to provide a fluid or air seal therebetween. However, the core supporting member 172 is preferably slidably mounted against the abutment 1460. Although the core supporting member 172 may comprise any desired or commonly used material, the presently preferred embodiment contemplates the utilization of an elastomeric plastic for this member.

Springs 174 are interposed between the core supporting member 172 and the ejector member 146 to thereby resiliently mount the core supporting member 172 relative to the ejector member. The springs 174 tend to resist movement of the core supporting member 172 beyond an intermediate position shown in FIG. 12 towards the ejector member. In this position, there is provided some clearance between the end of the abutments 172a and the planar back surface of the ejector member 146 as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13.

Provided on the core supporting member 172 are a plurality of holes or apertures 176 which are adapted to receive portions of cores 178. The provision of apertures 176 is not critical for the purposes of the present invention and any other suitable means for releasably securing or holding a core on the core supporting member 172 may be utilized, with different degrees of advantage. Cores 178 are shown to be mounted on the core supporting member 172 after the latter has been refilled with the cores. The utilization of cores is well known in the art and the formation of molds by suitable compacting patterns which form core receiving recesses 172 is similarly known. Referring to FIG. 13, two molds are shown positioned on conveyor or platform portion 162a the two molds together defining a parting line 152 and a sprue hole 156. Core receiving recesses 172 are shown provided on the right most pattern 154'. Cores 178, bridging a parting line 152, are shown disposed in recesses of two adjacent sand molds. The left most surface of the mold 150 on the platform or conveyor portion l62c is shown with portions of the cores 178 mounted in respective core receiving recesses 172 while other core portions are externally ex posed and project outwardly towards the left, as viewed in FIG. 13, in positions to be inserted into the recesses of the next or succeeding mold to be formed.

As suggested above, a space or cavity is formed between the ejector member 146 and the core supporting member 172. The interior of the cavity is externally accessible by means of a vacuum or pressure conduit 180. The conduit 180 is connected to a pressure or vacuum generating means (not shown) of conventional design.

The operation of the sand mold ejector and core inserting device 144' will now be described. Subsequent to a sand mold ejecting and core inserting operation, the shaft 148 is fully retracted as shown in FIG. 12. As described above, the roller 166 engages the lower portion of the ejector member 146 and tilts the same in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 12 against the action of the spring 168. Such pivotting or angular movement about the pin 164 tilts the core supporting member 172 to a position intermediate a vertical or a horizontal position thereof. This position is termed the core refilling position. At this time, cores 178 can be inserted into the holes 176. The purpose of tilting the core Supporting member 172 is two fold. Firstly, it facilitates insertion or refilling of the cores because it makes the core supporting member more fully accessible. Secondly, the insertion is facilitated since the core can be dropped into the holes 176 due to their own weight or under the action of gravity. The possibility of the very frequency delicate cores 178 falling out of the core supporting member is thereby made remote.

After all the cores 178 have been inserted, a vacuum is generated in the conduit 180 and thereby in the cavity formed by the ejector member 146 and the core supporting member 172. The drop in pressure helps to maintain the cores 178 interiorly of the holes 176 once the core supporting member assumes a generally vertical orientation as shown in FIG. 13.

When a core 150 has been formed in the compacting chamber 118, the chamber is turned 90 in the manner above described to the positions shown in FIG. 13, wherein the wall 116 is substantially coextensive with the conveyor portions 162a and 162a. In this position, a space l62b originally existant between the conveyor portions 162a and 162c is substantially filled by the wall 116.

Once the chamber 118 has reached its ejecting position shown in FIG. 13 the shaft 148 is extended. An intermediate position of the shaft 148 is shown in FIG. 13. As the shaft extends towards the right, the ejector member 146 commences to turn in a clockwise direction about the pin 164 under the action of the spring 168. Such rotation continues until the lower portion of the ejector member abuts against the stop 1700 wherein the ejector member is fixed in a vertical ejecting angular position.

Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, further advancement of the ejector member 146 causes the latter to enter one open side of the chamber 118 and causes the aligned cores 178 to enter the core receiving recesses 172. During initial insertion of the cores 178 into the recesses 172, a vacuum is still maintained in the cavity formed by the members 146 and 172. However, advantageously, as soon as portions of the cores 178 are inserted into the recesses 172, wherein the cores can no longer inadvertently fall out, the vacuum originally applied to the conduit 180 is transformed into a pressure by suitable means.

When the cores 178 are almost fully inserted into the recesses 172, the abutments 146 of the ejector member 146 abut against or engage the mold and slidably eject the mold from the chamber 118 by sliding the mold off the wall 116 onto the conveyor portion 162C. To facilitate ejection of the molds and to prevent damage to the latter by only applying high forces to the periphery of the mold by the abutment 146a, the forces required to eject the molds are more evenly distributed over the entire area of the mold by bringing into abutment the core supporting member 172 against the mold. However, because of the generally soft nature of the core supporting member 172, the pressure build up within the cavity or behind the member 172 provides adequate support which prevents the core supporting member from buckling or otherwise becoming deformed.

The purpose of resiliently and slidably mounting the core supporting member 172 within the abutments 172a of the ejector member.146 is to permit slight movements of the core supporting member 172 and consequently of the cores 178 while the latter are seeking and becoming aligned with the core receiving recesses 172. During the ejecting stroke, however, the core supporting member 172 is fully received within the abutment 172a whereby the abutment 172a engages the rear surface of the ejector member 146, as shown in FIG. 14.

Referring to FIG. 14, the shaft 148 continues to extend through the chamber 118 and in so doing ejects the last formed mold 150 positioned within the chamber 1 18. Such lateral movement of the mold 150 causes the other molds 150 stationed on the conveyor portion l62c to likewise move in the ejecting direction. After the last formed mold 150 is fully stationed on the conveyor portion 162e, the shaft 148 is again retracted, passing through the chamber 118, towards the positions generally indicated in FIG. 12. As described above, in reaching the position the lower portion of the ejector member engages the roller 166 and this tilts the core supporting member 172 to the core refilling position. The above constitutes a description of a full ejection and core inerting as well as core refilling operation.

Although the sand mold ejector and core inserting device has been described as being utilized in conjunction with a compacting chamber 118 of the above described compacting chamber arrangement 108, it should be clear that the device 144' may equally be used with other known sand mold apparatus.

Numerous alterations of the structure herein disclosed will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. However, it is be be understood that the present disclosure relates to a preferred embodiment of the invention which is for purposes of illustration only and is not to be construed as a limitation of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Compacting chamber arrangement for sand molding apparatus comprising a pivotally mounted chamber support member movable in an oscillatory manner between two angular positions about an axis; first and second sand mold compacting chambers provided on said chamber support member, said first and second chambers being angularly spaced about the pivotal axis of said chamber support member, and means for oscillatorily moving each of said chambers to a sand filling and sand compacting station of the sand molding apparatus in one angular position of said chamber support member and subsequently to a sand mold ejecting station of the sand molding apparatus in the other angular position of said chamber support member, said first and second chambers each comprising a pair of spaced parallel walls to form a chamber having open sides and an open top, the open sides being adapted to receive the compacting rams of the sand molding apparatus and the open top being adapted to receive sand to be compacted and adapted to be covered by a cover plate of the sand molding apparatus.

2. Compacting chamber arrangement as defined in claim 1, wherein said walls project from two surfaces of said block which are disposed at ninety degrees relative to each other.

3. Compacting chamber arrangement as defined in claim 1, said support member being pivotally mounted about a horizontal axis, said one angular position being substantially above said axis and said other angular position being substantially to one side of said axis.

4. Compacting chamber arrangement as defined in claim 1, further comprising vertically movable cover plate means adapted to close said open top of a respective compacting chamber during the compacting operation.

5. Compacting chamber arrangement as defined in claim 1, further comprising a sand mold ejector and core inserting device comprising a generally planar pivotally mounted ejector member; a core supporting member resiliently mounted on said ejector member on a side of the latter which abuts against a mold to be ejected, said core supporting member including means for releasably supporting at least one core thereon and for releasing the core when said ejector member is urged against a sand mold to be ejected which is provided with core receiving recesses; tilting means for pivotting said ejector member to a core refilling angular position when said ejector member is fully withdrawn from a sand compacting chamber in the other angular position thereof; resetting means for turning said ejector member about the pivot point of the latter from said core refilling angular position to an ejecting angular position when said ejector member advances towards a sand compacting chamber in the other angular position thereof; and means for linearly reciprocating said ejector member between core refilling and sand compacting positions.

6. Compacting chamber arrangement for sand molding apparatus comprising a pivotally mounted chamber support member movable in an oscillatory manner between two angular positions about an axis; first and second sand mold compacting chambers provided on said chamber support member, each of said compacting chambers having two opposite open sides, said first and second chambers being angularly spaced about the pivotal axis of said chamber support member; means for oscillatorily moving each of said chambers to a sand filling and a sand compacting station of the sand molding apparatus in one angular position of said chamber support member and subsequently to a sand mold ejecting station of the sand molding apparatus in the other angular position of said chamber support member; and a pair of compacting rams each disposed on another side of said compacting support member, each of said compacting rams being reciprocally movable with respect to said open sides, said compacting rams being adapted to pass through respective open sides of a compacting chamber when the latter is in said one angular position to compact sand previously placed into the compacting chamber.

7. Compacting chamber arrangement as defined in claim 6, wherein each of said compacting rams is provided with more than one pattern.

8. Compacting chamber arrangement as defined in claim 7, wherein each compacting ram comprises a pivotally mounted pattern support member movable in an oscillatory manner between two angular positions about an axis normal to the axis about which said chamber support member is pivotally mounted; first and second patterns being angularly spaced about the pivotal axis of each pattern support member, one of said patterns of each pattern support member being movable to a sand compacting position in one angular position of said pattern support member and the other pattern being movable to the sand compacting position in the other angular position of said pattern support member; means for angularly oscillating each of said pattern support members between said angular positions of said pattern support members after each sand molding operation; and means for linearly reciprocating each of said pattern support members to force said patterns in the sand compacting position of said pattern support member through the open side of said compacting chamber disposed in said one angular position thereof and to withdraw said patterns from the compacting chamber after the same has been compacted therein 9. Compacting chamber arrangement as defined in claim 8, wherein said pattern support members and said chamber support member oscillate in synchronism, whereby each set of patterns on similarly oriented support members is associated with one of said compacting chambers.

10. Compacting chamber arrangement as defined in claim 9, wherein each of said first and second patterns are provided with sprue forming projections. said first patterns and said second patterns being displaced by from each other to position said projections adjacent to opposite corresponding walls defining said two compacting chambers, whereby the ejected said mold ejected on each side of said chamber support member have the sprue holes at the top surfaces thereof.

11. Compacting chamber arrangement for sand molding apparatus comprising a pivotally mounted chamber support member movable in an oscillatory manner between two angular positions about an axis; first and second sand mold compacting chambers provided on said chamber support member, said first and second chambers being angularly spaced about the pivotal axis of said chamber support member; means for oscillatorily moving each of said chambers to a sand filling and a sand compacting station of the sand molding apparatus in one angular position of said chamber support member and subsequently to a sand mold ejecting station of the sand molding apparatus in the other angular position of said chamber support member; compacting rams disposed to each side of the compacting chamber in said one angular position of said chamber support member. said rams being reciprocably movable to enter and egress from a respective compacting chamber in the sand compacting position thereof; and ejector members disposed on opposite sides of said chamber support member, each ejector member being alternately extended through another 21 22 associated compacting chamber, said one angular composition of said chambers is disposed at a level above Pacfing P'imition and Said other angular electing p the axis of said chamber support member, and said bfaing at different levels whereby rams and other angular ejecting position of said chambers being said e ector members can reciprocate Independently without interfering with each other. disposed at lower levels to the sides of the axis of said 12. Compactor chamber arrangement as defined in chamber pp memberclaim 11, wherein said one sand angular compacting 

1. Compacting chamber arrangement for sand molding apparatus comprising a pivotally mounted chamber support member movable in an oscillatory manner between two angular positions about an axis; first and second sand mold compacting chambers provided on said chamber support member, said first and second chambers being angulaRly spaced about the pivotal axis of said chamber support member, and means for oscillatorily moving each of said chambers to a sand filling and sand compacting station of the sand molding apparatus in one angular position of said chamber support member and subsequently to a sand mold ejecting station of the sand molding apparatus in the other angular position of said chamber support member, said first and second chambers each comprising a pair of spaced parallel walls to form a chamber having open sides and an open top, the open sides being adapted to receive the compacting rams of the sand molding apparatus and the open top being adapted to receive sand to be compacted and adapted to be covered by a cover plate of the sand molding apparatus.
 1. Compacting chamber arrangement for sand molding apparatus comprising a pivotally mounted chamber support member movable in an oscillatory manner between two angular positions about an axis; first and second sand mold compacting chambers provided on said chamber support member, said first and second chambers being angulaRly spaced about the pivotal axis of said chamber support member, and means for oscillatorily moving each of said chambers to a sand filling and sand compacting station of the sand molding apparatus in one angular position of said chamber support member and subsequently to a sand mold ejecting station of the sand molding apparatus in the other angular position of said chamber support member, said first and second chambers each comprising a pair of spaced parallel walls to form a chamber having open sides and an open top, the open sides being adapted to receive the compacting rams of the sand molding apparatus and the open top being adapted to receive sand to be compacted and adapted to be covered by a cover plate of the sand molding apparatus.
 2. Compacting chamber arrangement as defined in claim 1, wherein said walls project from two surfaces of said block which are disposed at ninety degrees relative to each other.
 3. Compacting chamber arrangement as defined in claim 1, said support member being pivotally mounted about a horizontal axis, said one angular position being substantially above said axis and said other angular position being substantially to one side of said axis.
 4. Compacting chamber arrangement as defined in claim 1, further comprising vertically movable cover plate means adapted to close said open top of a respective compacting chamber during the compacting operation.
 5. Compacting chamber arrangement as defined in claim 1, further comprising a sand mold ejector and core inserting device comprising a generally planar pivotally mounted ejector member; a core supporting member resiliently mounted on said ejector member on a side of the latter which abuts against a mold to be ejected, said core supporting member including means for releasably supporting at least one core thereon and for releasing the core when said ejector member is urged against a sand mold to be ejected which is provided with core receiving recesses; tilting means for pivotting said ejector member to a core refilling angular position when said ejector member is fully withdrawn from a sand compacting chamber in the other angular position thereof; resetting means for turning said ejector member about the pivot point of the latter from said core refilling angular position to an ejecting angular position when said ejector member advances towards a sand compacting chamber in the other angular position thereof; and means for linearly reciprocating said ejector member between core refilling and sand compacting positions.
 6. Compacting chamber arrangement for sand molding apparatus comprising a pivotally mounted chamber support member movable in an oscillatory manner between two angular positions about an axis; first and second sand mold compacting chambers provided on said chamber support member, each of said compacting chambers having two opposite open sides, said first and second chambers being angularly spaced about the pivotal axis of said chamber support member; means for oscillatorily moving each of said chambers to a sand filling and a sand compacting station of the sand molding apparatus in one angular position of said chamber support member and subsequently to a sand mold ejecting station of the sand molding apparatus in the other angular position of said chamber support member; and a pair of compacting rams each disposed on another side of said compacting support member, each of said compacting rams being reciprocally movable with respect to said open sides, said compacting rams being adapted to pass through respective open sides of a compacting chamber when the latter is in said one angular position to compact sand previously placed into the compacting chamber.
 7. Compacting chamber arrangement as defined in claim 6, wherein each of said compacting rams is provided with more than one pattern.
 8. Compacting chamber arrangement as defined in claim 7, wherein each compacting ram comprises a pivotally mounted pattern support member movable in an oscillatory manner between two angular positions about an axis normal to the axis about which said chamber support member is pivotally mounted; first and second patterns being angularly spaced about the pivotal axis of each pattern support member, one of said patterns of each pattern support member being movable to a sand compacting position in one angular position of said pattern support member and the other pattern being movable to the sand compacting position in the other angular position of said pattern support member; means for angularly oscillating each of said pattern support members between said angular positions of said pattern support members after each sand molding operation; and means for linearly reciprocating each of said pattern support members to force said patterns in the sand compacting position of said pattern support member through the open side of said compacting chamber disposed in said one angular position thereof and to withdraw said patterns from the compacting chamber after the same has been compacted therein.
 9. Compacting chamber arrangement as defined in claim 8, wherein said pattern support members and said chamber support member oscillate in synchronism, whereby each set of patterns on similarly oriented support members is associated with one of said compacting chambers.
 10. Compacting chamber arrangement as defined in claim 9, wherein each of said first and second patterns are provided with sprue forming projections, said first patterns and said second patterns being displaced by 180* from each other to position said projections adjacent to opposite corresponding walls defining said two compacting chambers, whereby the ejected said mold ejected on each side of said chamber support member have the sprue holes at the top surfaces thereof.
 11. Compacting chamber arrangement for sand molding apparatus comprising a pivotally mounted chamber support member movable in an oscillatory manner between two angular positions about an axis; first and second sand mold compacting chambers provided on said chamber support member, said first and second chambers being angularly spaced about the pivotal axis of said chamber support member; means for oscillatorily moving each of said chambers to a sand filling and a sand compacting station of the sand molding apparatus in one angular position of said chamber support member and subsequently to a sand mold ejecting station of the sand molding apparatus in the other angular position of said chamber support member; compacting rams disposed to each side of the compacting chamber in said one angular position of said chamber support member, said rams being reciprocably movable to enter and egress from a respective compacting chamber in the sand compacting position thereof; and ejector members disposed on opposite sides of said chamber support member, each ejector member being alternately extended through another associated compacting chamber, said one angular compacting position and said other angular ejecting position being at different levels, whereby said rams and said ejector members can reciprocate independently without interfering with each other. 